Rachel Alexander, Birmingham Mail Journalist Profile

Articles

Walsall Wood company hopes to expand business into vacant church

2 weeks ago | birminghammail.co.uk | Rachel Alexander

No proposals have been made to change the interior or exterior of the buildingEbenezer Methodist Church on Lichfield Road(Image: Google)A Walsall Wood company has submitted plans to take on a local church. Love Joes, a food manufacturing company based in the area, is looking to move its admin side of the business into the vacant Ebenezer Methodist Church on Lichfield Road.
Another bid to develop former college into HMO fails

2 weeks ago | birminghammail.co.uk | Rachel Alexander

In the same WS1 postcode there are at least 84 other HMOsThe former Midlands Business Management College at 27 Bradford Street, Walsall (Image: Google )Walsall Council has refused a proposal to develop a listed town centre building into a 12-bedroom House of Multiple Occupation. The former Midlands Business Management College at 27 Bradford Street is located within the Bradford Street Conservation Area.
Future of Walsall pub to be decided next week as man hospitalised in violent disorder

3 weeks ago | birminghammail.co.uk | Rachel Alexander

West Midlands Police were called to the Drunken Duck at 55 High Street to respond to an incident ‘inside and directly outside’ the pubDrunken Duck, Walsall Wood(Image: Google )Walsall Councillors will meet next week to make a decision on the future of a Walsall Wood pub following a violent disorder at the premises last month. On May 10, West Midlands Police were called to the Drunken Duck at 55 High Street to respond to an incident ‘inside and directly outside’ the pub.
Former Walsall Council leader returns vowing to unite Conservative group

3 weeks ago | birminghammail.co.uk | Rachel Alexander

It marks the sixth time that Councillor Bird has served as group leaderCouncillor Mike Bird pictured in 2022 Councillor Mike Bird has been elected as leader of the Conservative Group at Walsall Council. It marks the sixth time that Councillor Bird has served as group leader since becoming a councillor for Pheasey Park Farm in 1980.
Walsall town centre sushi bar plans rejected

3 weeks ago | birminghammail.co.uk | Rachel Alexander

The Grade II listed building has an ornate façade with carvings of musical instruments, the heads of composers, and scenes from the bibleThe former H Taylor & Son Music Warehouse at 29 Bridge Street, Walsall(Image: Google )Walsall Council has rejected plans to create a sushi bar in the town centre at 29 Bridge Street. Applicant Mr Linh Van Ngo submitted the change of use application to ‘bring the historic building back to life’.
Second bid for battery storage facility near Walsall retail park rejected

3 weeks ago | birminghammail.co.uk | Rachel Alexander

Applicant Power Initiatives Ltd has submitted two applications to develop the site off Six Towers RoadThe site of the proposed battery energy storage system(Image: Aardvark EM Ltd / Power Initiatives Ltd)Plans to build a battery energy storage system next to Reedswood Retail Park in Walsall have been rejected for a second time. Applicant Power Initiatives Ltd has submitted two applications to develop the site off Six Towers Road near Reedswood Park woodland.
Apartments plan refused leaving developer with 'fall-back' HMO

3 weeks ago | birminghammail.co.uk | Rachel Alexander

The newest proposal sought to demolish the bungalow and replace it with a 3.5 storeyBungalow at 205 High Street, BrownhillsA company hoping to develop a bungalow in Brownhills has had its latest application rejected. Morethan Property Ltd has submitted a total of three applications to develop empty offices at 205 High Street.
Date set for election of new council leader following sudden resignation

3 weeks ago | birminghammail.co.uk | Rachel Alexander

Former leader Councillor Garry Perry quit on May 21Walsall Council House on Lichfield Street Councillors in Walsall will meet next week to vote in their new leader of the authority. Former leader Councillor Garry Perry quit on May 21 claiming he’d experienced 'political attrition, deliberate undermining, and bullying dressed up as politics'.
How much every councillor was paid last year in Walsall

3 weeks ago | birminghammail.co.uk | Rachel Alexander

Over £1.2million was spent on councillors' payThe highest earner last year Councillor Garry Perry, the former leader of Walsall Council(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)Taxpayers in Walsall spent over £1.2 million on councillor pay and special responsibility allowances last year. Most Walsall councillors received a basic pay of £13,455.95 for the year but those with extra responsibility, such as committee chairs or portfolio holders, received special allowances on top.
Councillor proposes bold proposal to reform election system

4 weeks ago | birminghammail.co.uk | Rachel Alexander

Councillor Rasab has called for all-out elections every four yearsCouncillor Waheed Rasab, Walsall Council House(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)A Walsall councillor has put forward a bold proposal to reform the authority's local election system. Councillor Waheed Rasab, who represents the Paddock ward, has called for the introduction of all-out local elections every four years, rather than the current practice of annual elections.